City of Sarasota is conducting study for water taxis

SARASOTA - Some locations could be seeing water taxis to unclog Sarasota's streets.

As part of Sarasota's first city-wide transportation master plan, "Sarasota in Motion",a feasibility study is being conducted for the addition of a water taxi.

The city is examining different docking locations to launch the first taxi including locations at O'Leary's Tiki Bar and Grill, near St. Armand's Circle, and City Island Park near Mote Marine Lab.

The goal is to provide residents and tourists with another way of transportation to the islands besides driving.

"We're hoping to provide commuters with that option. There's a lot of people who work out on the islands close to St. Armand's Circle on Longboat Key. There's an interest from the town of Longboat Key in the study as well," Sarasota's Chief Transportation Planner Colleen McGue said.

The project is only in the studying phase now and McGue says the study should be complete by January. Any water taxis would not be seen until 2020.

Residents are invited to take an online survey and attend public workshops on June 4th about their transportation needs and visions of Sarasota's future transportation methods.